Government today cleared central assistance of over Rs 871 crore for construction of a sea water desalination plant in Chennai.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to grant assistance of Rs 871.246 crore towards construction of sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant and external product water conveyance facilities to augment 100 MLD water supply to the southern part of Chennai city and to meet industrial demand.
The plant was commissioned in February last year and has started supplying water, an official release said.
During the implementation of the project, a decision was taken by the Tamil Nadu government for laying of a separate feeder main from Nemmeli plant to Porur with a view to provide water supply to the western part of Chennai, especially during a drought situation.
This work is in progress and likely to be completed shortly. The revised project cost has been estimated at about Rs 854.52 crore, it said.
Drinking water supply sources in Chennai, which is fast developing as an IT hub, are monsoon dependent and the city experiences frequent water shortage.
In order to provide drinking water security to the major city, water is supplied from the Poondi, Cholavaram, Red Hills lake system, Veeranam source and Krishna-Telugu Ganga scheme and a desalination plant at Minjur.
